Worm Control in Dogs and Cats
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Worm Control 1 in Dogs and Cats ESCCAP Guideline 01 Sixth Edition – May 2021 1 ESCCAP Malvern Hills Science Park, Geraldine Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3SZ, United Kingdom First Edition Published by ESCCAP in December 2006 © ESCCAP 2006–2021 All rights reserved This publication is made available subject to the condition that any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise is with the prior written permission of ESCCAP. This publication may only be distributed in the covers in which it is first published unless with the prior written permission of ESCCAP. A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library. ISBN: 978-1-913757-18-2 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 6 SCOPE 7 PRESENT SITUATION AND EMERGING THREATS 7 LIFELONG CONTROL OF COMMON WORMS 7 BIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS AND CONTROL OF WORMS 11 1. Roundworms (Toxocara spp.) 11 2. Tapeworms 13 Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis 13 Dipylidium caninum 16 Taenia spp. 17 3. Heartworm and Subcutaneous Worms 19 Dirofilaria immitis 19 Dirofilaria repens 20 Zoonotic potential of D. immitis and D. repens 21 4. French Heartworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) 22 5. Hookworms (Ancylostoma spp. and Uncinaria spp.) 23 6. Whipworm (Trichuris vulpis) 24 DIAGNOSIS OF HELMINTH INFECTIONS 25 IMPACT OF PET HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE FACTORS 26 RESISTANCE TO ANTHELMINTICS 26 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OF PARASITE TRANSMISSION 27 OWNER CONSIDERATIONS IN PREVENTING ZOONOTIC DISEASES 28 STAFF, PET OWNER AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION 29 Worm Control 1 in Dogs and Cats ESCCAP Guideline 01 Sixth Edition – May 2021 3 FIGURES Figure 1: Scheme for individual deworming of dogs 9 Figure 2: Scheme for individual deworming of cats 10 Figure 3: Toxocara canis life cycle 11 Figure 4: Toxocara cati life cycle 11 Figure 5: Adult worms live in the small intestine of infected dogs and cats 11 Figure 6: Toxocara cati infective egg 12 Figure 7: Echinococcus granulosus life cycle 13 Figure 8: Echinococcus multilocularis life cycle 13 Figure 9: Approximate summary of distribution of Echinococcus granulosus and related species in Europe 14 Figure 10: Approximate distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis in the fox in Europe 15 Figure 11: Dipylidium caninum life cycle 16 Figure 12: Taenia spp. life cycle 17 Figure 13: Taeniid egg 18 Figure 14: Adult worms live in the pulmonary arteries 19 Figure 15: Dirofilaria immitis life cycle 19 Figure 16: The worm may cause skin nodules and swelling 20 Figure 17: Dirofilaria repens life cycle 20 Figure 18: Approximate distribution of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in Europe 21 Figure 19: A. vasorum larvae measure approximately 345 μm and 22 are characterised by a wavy tail with a dorsal notch Figure 20: Angiostrongylus vasorum life cycle 22 Figure 21: Hookworms are small nematodes that live in the intestine of infected dogs and cats 23 Figure 22: Hookworm life cycle 23 Figure 23: Infection can be diagnosed by faecal examination and identification of eggs 24 Figure 24: Trichuris vulpis worm 24 Figure 25: Trichuris vulpis life cycle 24 Figure 26: A heavy infection of Trichuris vulpis in the large intestine of a dog 25 Figure 27: Trichuris vulpis eggs 25 4 TABLES Table 1: Summary of Taenia spp. found in dogs and cats 18 Table 2A: Characteristics of worms of dogs in Europe: intestinal nematodes 30 Table 2B: Characteristics of worms of dogs in Europe: tapeworms (cestodes) 30 Table 2C: Characteristics of worms of dogs in Europe: non-intestinal nematodes 31 Table 3: Risk factors for worms of dogs in Europe 32 Table 4: Characteristics of worms of cats in Europe: nematodes and tapeworms (cestodes) 33 Table 5: Risk factors for worms of cats in Europe 35 Table 6: Worm infection of dogs: main clinical signs and diagnosis 36 Table 7: Worm infection of cats: main clinical signs and diagnosis 38 APPENDIX APPENDIX 1 – GLOSSARY 40 APPENDIX 2 – BACKGROUND 41 5 INTRODUCTION There is a wide range of helminths including nematodes, cestodes and trematodes that can infect dogs and cats in Europe. Major groups by location in the host are: Intestinal worms Ascarids (Toxocara spp.) Tapeworms Hookworms (Ancylostoma and Uncinaria spp.) Whipworm (Trichuris vulpis) Non-intestinal worms Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) Subcutaneous worms (Dirofilaria repens) French heartworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum†) Lungworms Eye worms (Thelazia callipaeda) These groups are further summarised in Tables 2A, 2B and 2C. Factors affecting the importance of these worms include: Prevalence Pathogenicity for the host Zoonotic potential A combination of these factors This guideline aims to give an overview of these worms and their significance and to suggest control measures for the most important species in order to prevent animal and/or human infection. For simplicity, the nematodes, cestodes and trematodes mentioned in this guideline will be referred to as “worms” and therapeutic compounds as “anthelmintics”. † A. vasorum is sometimes referred to as a lungworm and sometimes named ‘the French Heartworm’, which is due to the fact that the adult worms are located in the circulatory system and not the lungs. 6 SCOPE ESCCAP provides research-based, independent advice. It is the aim of ESCCAP to produce a guideline which delivers comprehensive information and support to assist both veterinarians and pet owners to successfully control worm infection in dogs and cats. This guideline concentrates on the most important groups of companion animal worms, both intestinal and non-intestinal. Other canine and feline parasites are addressed in other guidelines; these will be referred to, where appropriate, in the text. For more information on the control of ectoparasites, superficial mycoses, vector-borne diseases and intestinal protozoa see ESCCAP guidelines at www.esccap.org/guidelines/. PRESENT SITUATION AND EMERGING THREATS In Europe, an increase in pet travel plus climatic changes will probably influence the present epidemiological situation of certain endoparasites or may introduce them into different regions. Rare diseases may rise in frequency due to increased importation into presently non-endemic areas. Furthermore, within the European Union, removal of border controls under the Schengen Treaty and implementation of the PETS Travel Scheme in the United Kingdom have led to easy travel between the various countries within continental Europe and, except for the UK, there are no or limited customs controls of pet animals moving from one country to another. Whilst pets travelling with their owners account for the majority of pet movement, a large number of dogs and, to a lesser extent cats, are now being relocated by welfare organisations from, for example, Mediterranean countries to private households all over Europe. This is particularly significant as the Mediterranean is an area where parasites such as Dirofilaria immitis are highly prevalent. Veterinary medicinal products go through a rigorous testing process prior to their approval by European or national authorities and each indication for use has to be scientifically justified. Veterinarians are trained in the appropriate use of these compounds according to current national legislation. Most modern endoparasiticidal compounds for companion animals can be used prophylactically or therapeutically to control endoparasites. LIFELONG CONTROL OF COMMON WORMS Parasite infections should be controlled through endoparasite and ectoparasite management and treatment. Few parasite infections are strictly age-related; the risk continues as the animal ages and so consideration should be given to provide each dog and cat with appropriate worm control throughout its lifetime. The routine treatment and prevention of all worms depends upon legislation in individual countries, veterinary professionals taking local epidemiological circumstances into account, owner perception and individual risk assessments i.e. hunting pets, previous lungworm exposure, raw meat diets etc. Deworming practices should therefore always be on the advice of a veterinary professional. See Figures 1 and 2: Schemes for individual deworming of dogs and cats. 7 Please be advised that: In countries or regions where routine treatments are not acceptable for legislative or other reasons, regular faecal examinations are recommended. See specific parasite sections within this guideline for more tailored treatment and control recommendations. Feeding commercial diets or cooked food (internal temperature of at least 65°C for 10 minutes) or deep frozen (at least for one week at -17 to -20°C) will prevent raw meat- transmitted parasite infections (see Tables 3 and 5). Dogs and cats should not be allowed access to rodents, carcasses, placentae or aborted foetuses of cattle or sheep. Dogs and cats should always be provided with fresh, potable water. Where a specific worm infection is diagnosed, the infection should be appropriately treated and then preventive measures put in place. Symptomatic dogs or cats should have a physical examination, including relevant parasitic diagnostic procedures, and complete history considered as these are crucial for the diagnosis, treatment and control of parasitic infections. For healthy dogs and cats, the prevention of worm infection is essential. To simplify preventive measures, ESCCAP has identified three “key” parasite groups that can cause severe disease, pose a zoonotic risk and have high prevalence in some or all areas of Europe: Ascarids